UCL-Tohoku University Strategic Partner Funds Submission Portal

Summary of call

The Office of the Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation, Global Engagement) at University College London (UCL) and Tohoku University (TU) are contributing matching funds to support collaborative education and research initiatives through a joint call for proposals for the development of collaborative activities.

This call invites proposals for partnership development activity in areas of mutual interest and complementary strengths that will strengthen collaboration between UCL and TU.

Proposals should be co-led by a Lead Applicant at each institution and can involve a wider team of participants from each institution, as appropriate to the activities proposed. Proposals from all fields are welcome but those related to the following fields are particularly encouraged:Building Resilient Society; Neuroscience; AI and Machine Learning in Health; Social Innovation: Quantum.

Applications must demonstrate how the proposed activity will provide a platform for longer-term, larger-scale collaboration between UCL and TU in the relevant field, for example, by providing a basis for ongoing joint research and education activity and / or applications to external bodies for research grant funding.

Up to six joint projects will be selected for funding and will receive up to £10,000 in total. Funding will be provided jointly by UCL and TU, with up to 5,000 GBP from UCL going to the UCL academic and an equivalent amount from TU going to the TU academic. However, only one proposal should be submitted.

Before submitting your application, please read the full funding guidance.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Keiko Tsunekawa, Global Engagement Manager, UCL: k.tsunekawa@ucl.ac.uk or the Global Strategy Office at TU:kokusai-c@grp.tohoku.ac.jp

How to apply

1) UCL lead applicants can apply on behalf of their project team via this application portal. A completed application form should be submitted via Part 3 below.

2) A brief summary of the principal participants (from UCL and TU) and some summary project details are also required under Part 1 & 2 below.

Key dates

Deadline for application: 10 October 2025

Decisions communicated to applicants on or before: 30 November 2025

Project Title*

0/35

Total UCL amount applied for in GBP (up to £5,000)*

Total TU amount applied for in GBP (up to £5,000)*

Please tick to confirm that the TU's funds should be used by the end of March 2027 and UCL's activity is planned to be purchased and take place by 31 July 2026. All activity and expenditure MUST be completed within this activity window, after this funds will disappear.*

Tick here to confirm

All anticipated costs in the attached application have been calculated according to any required UCL/TU expenses and travel policy (A Worktribe costing is not necessary)*

Tick here to confirm

Please tick here to confirm you will undertake the relevant and appropriate ethical approval and due diligence for the size and scope of your project (see guidance pdf for further details)*

Tick here to confirm

Please tick here to confirm the UCL's lead applicant of this proposal did not receive GE Partner funding as a lead applicant for a project taking place in the 2024/25 or 2025/26 Academic Year*

Tick here to confirm

Please tick here to confirm that the UCL lead applicant and any co-applicants of this proposal did not apply for two GE seed funds as a lead applicant in Spring 2025. You are not eligible if you have already applied for two GE seed funds in the Spring call 2025. Please refer to the eligibility criteria in the full guidelines.*

Tick here to confirm

How did you hear about the UCL-Tohoku University Strategic Partner Fund? Select all that apply.*

Global Engagement Social Media (X - formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky)UCL Global Update NewsletterTheWeek@UCLFaculty CommunicationsDepartment/Institute CommunicationsOther

A. UCL Applicant Information

In line with UCL’s commitment to equality and diversity, we encourage applications from a range of backgrounds regardless of career stage, age, disability, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and religion.

Name of UCL lead applicant*

PrefixFirst NameLast Name

E-mail*

Role *

Faculty*

Arts and Humanities Department*

Brain Sciences Department*

Bartlett Department*

Engineering Sciences Department*

Life Sciences Department*

Maths & Physical Sciences Department*

Medical Sciences Department*

Population Health Sciences Department*

Social & Historical Sciences Department*

Institute of Education Department*

Other*

Lead applicant UCL Person Identifier (UPI) Number *

This can be found on your UCL ID card in the bottom left corner.

Is there more than one UCL applicant?*

Name of UCL co-applicant

PrefixFirst NameLast Name

E-mail

Role

Department

Faculty

Name of the second UCL co-applicant

PrefixFirst NameLast Name

E-mail

Role

Department

Faculty

Name of the third UCL co-applicant

PrefixFirst NameLast Name

E-mail

Role

Department

Faculty

If your group has more than 3 co-applicants, please list any additional names under section 1 in your project proposal attachment.

B. Tohoku University Applicant Information

Project must be in collaboration with one or more colleague(s)/research team(s)/department(s), based at Tohoku University.

Name of the lead applicant at Tohoku University*

PrefixFirst NameLast Name

E-mail*

Role*

Faculty Name*

Department*

Name of co-applicant at Tohoku University

PrefixFirst NameLast Name

Role

Faculty Name

Department (if applicable)

Name of the second co-applicant at Tohoku University

PrefixFirst NameLast Name

Role

Faculty Name

Department (if applicable)

The application form should be submitted via a Word document format (.doc or .docx) upload, using the button below. Please note submissions should be no longer than 5 pages.

Please bear in mind this will be reviewed by a panel including non-specialists in your field of expertise.

The application form requires proposals to include a-d (below) in section 2 of the form, please ensure these subheadings are used on your application before submitting the form:-

a) Aims, Areas of Focus and Academic Rationale (500 words max)

b) Project Activities and Intended Outputs (500 words max)

c) Outcomes (200 words max)

d) Impact of Collaboration (200 words max)

e) Sustaining the collaboration (400 words max)

Please upload your proposal here:*

Click to Upload Proposal

UCL - Tohoku University Strategic Partner Funds 2025-26

Part 1: About the Project

Part 2: About the Project Team

Part 3: Application Upload